Young Carers
What is a Young Carer?
“A Young Carer is someone aged under 18 who cares for a friend or family member who, due to illness, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction, cannot cope without their support. Older Young Carers are also known as Young Adult Carers and they may have different support needs to younger carers.” (www.carerstrust.org)
At The Benjamin Foundation, we are committed to supporting Young Carers to help them tackle the unique challenges they face.
Boom! Young Carers
Boom! Young Carers provides free of charge, fortnightly groups during term time. The groups aim for Young Carers to have a break from their caring responsibilities, meet other Young Carers, learn new skills and most importantly have some fun while doing so!
Young Adult Carers
YAC is a Boom! group for Young Adult Carers who are aged 16-21 years. The aim of this group is to connect Young Adult Carers together to build friendships and support outside of the groups. We meet together at least monthly and past activities have included tubing, film nights, paddleboarding, pizza nights, meals out, theatre trips and coffee shop meet ups.
Group Details
Taverham Young Carers
For Young Carers aged 8-17
Tuesday 6.30-8.00 pm
Marlpit Norwich Young Carers
For Young Carers aged 5-18
Wednesday 4.45-6.15 pm and 6.30-8.00 pm
Lakenham Young Carers
For Young Carers aged 8-16
Wednesday 6.30-8.00 pm
North Walsham Young Carers
For Young Carers aged 8-18
Thursday 6.30-8.00 pm
Pilling Park Young Carers
For Young Carers aged 5-18
Thursday 4.45-6.15 pm and 6.30-8.00 pm
Young Adult Carers
We run monthly meet-ups for Young Adult Carers aged 16-21 in Norwich
Various dates and times
Referrals
If you know a Young Carer or Young Adult Carer that would like to join one of our Boom! groups please contact Alice Stevenson on 07880242374 or email alice.stevenson@benjaminfoundation.co.uk. We take self-referrals as well as referrals from parents, schools and other professionals.
Young Carers Education and Community Work
The Benjamin Foundation works in partnership with Carers Matter Norfolk to provide support for Young Carers and their families. Our Young Carers Education and Community Work team support schools, colleges, home education providers and other community groups to help them identify and work with Young Carers within their community. The team can offer training to any professional working with young people in Norfolk. If you wish to have our support for your education or community setting or want to access our training for professionals please email youngcarers@benjaminfoundation.co.uk
If you have a family or Young Carer wishing to access 1:1 or family support please make a referral to Carers Matter Norfolk below:
Our team can support Norfolk schools in achieving the Young Carers in Schools Award. This is an award run jointly by Carers Trust and The Children’s Society.
Holiday Activities
Our Young Carers Education and Community Team also provide activities for Young Carers during school holidays. Activities have included trips to Pensthorpe Nature Reserve, the East Anglian Air Ambulance headquarters, sailing on the broads and performing arts activity days. Any Young Carer aged 5 to 18 years in Norfolk is eligible to book onto these activities free of charge. All activities are advertised in advance on our Facebook page. Alternatively you can sign up to our mobile text mailing list by texting 07880 242374 and ask to be sent details of our holiday activities.
Young Carer Friendly Youth Groups
Our Young Carers Education and Community Work team are working hard with Norfolk youth providers to ensure that Young Carers can access their choice of youth provision and receive the support they need as a Young Carer. Our team provide training and ongoing advice for youth groups in Norfolk and once the provider has passed their training and shown the support they offer for Young Carers, they will receive a We Welcome Young Carers Badge. Find the full list of youth groups with badges here.
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